'Exempt' signs installed in honor of teens killed at railroad tracks - East Idaho News
Local

‘Exempt’ signs installed in honor of teens killed at railroad tracks

  Published at  | Updated at
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready ...

ST. ANTHONY — The small signs may seem insignificant to some, but to a group of Madison County teenagers, they are a constant reminder of their two friends tragically killed in a crash last month.

On Wednesday morning, the group of boys, along with the families of Teagen Bradshaw and Tanner Nicols, officials, and many others gathered at a railroad crossing on U.S. 20 to install ‘EXEMPT’ signs.

Teagen and Tanner died after rear-ending a Kenworth fuel tanker stopped at the crossing in St. Anthony on Aug. 7.

madison crash
Teagen Bradshaw and Tanner Nicol died in a crash Aug. 7. | Courtesy photos

Within days of their deaths, Bridger Vickers, Bridger Stoddard, Dawson Jensen, Mason Flanary and Briar Leishman decided to do something to try and make the intersection safer in honor of their friends.

RELATED | A tragedy couldn’t prevent these boys from taking action in their community

After connecting with numerous organizations, including Eastern Idaho Railroad and the Idaho Transportation Department, the boys ended up meeting with Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter when he visited Sugar City as part of his “Capitol for a Day” tour. They asked Otter to exempt large vehicles and busses from stopping at the railroad crossing unless a train is coming.

exempt
Dawson Jensen, far right, and his friends with Joey Haynes (Red shirt), Eastern Idaho Railroad, Lt. Governor Brad Little, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and Jason Minzghor, far left, ITD district engineer | Courtesy Joey Haynes

The boys were invited to help install the signs and were surprised to see a large crowd turn out for the event.

railroad track
Courtesy Bridger Vickers

“I thought it was just gonna be us five guys and the families but there was vehicles lined up,” Bridger Vickers says. “Friends and family and distant family – all those people came. It turned out to be a lot bigger ordeal than any of us ever expected. It was awesome to see the love and support.”

The boys will share more about their experience in getting the exemption passed so quickly Sunday on East Idaho Newsmakers.

IMG 91631
Courtesy Bridger Vickers

SUBMIT A CORRECTION